Is the air quality good in Hanoi?
On August 14, 2025, at 7:00 AM PT, Hanoi was among the most polluted major city in the world.
Hanoi’s poor air quality is primarily caused by heavy traffic emissions, industrial pollution from coal-powered cement production, and dust from rapid construction.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can frequently change.
Hanoi was the 2nd most polluted major city on August 14 at 7 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Hanoi.
The air quality conditions in Hanoi on the morning of August 14 are poor due to a combination of construction activity, vehicle emissions, open waste burning, and industrial activity. It is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Hanoi was 45 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 125, which falls into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category. The average PM2.5 concentration for 2024 was also 8 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
What is causing poor air quality in Hanoi?
As of August 14, 2025, the high PM2.5 concentrations in Hanoi stemmed from a combination of local and regional pollution sources (2):
- Heavy traffic emissions, with congested roads and a large fleet of motorbikes and diesel vehicles contributing over 50% of the city’s pollution (1).
- Industrial emissions from factories and coal-powered cement kilns, which release significant amounts of fine particulate matter.
- Trash burning within and around the city, emitting harmful pollutants that add to the existing smog (3).
- Construction dust from ongoing infrastructure and real estate projects, which further increases PM2.5 concentrations.
The government has initiated policies promoting electric vehicles, with a target for at least 50% of buses and 100% of taxis to be electric by 2030, aiming to curb traffic-related emissions (2).
Hourly air quality forecast for Hanoi on August 14 at 7 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Hanoi on August 14 at 7 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
